Method for cutting and handling block-like articles

ABSTRACT

Method for cutting articles by measuring one dimension of the article and cutting the article into a plurality of separate parts, each of which has a dimension which is proportional to the dimension measured. Apparatus for cutting and handling articles having a platform with means for advancing the articles onto the platform. Dies engage the article on the platform to cut parts of predetermined shapes from the article. Means is provided for ejecting the articles from the dies and then for rotating the articles for cutting additional parts from the article.

Comstock et a1. Nov. 4, 1975 METHOD FOR CUTTING AND HANDLING 2,760,248 8/1956 Hensgen et a1. 83/27 BLOCK LIKE AR 2,877,816 3/195'9 Kibler et a1. 83/4042 X 3,133,571 5/1964 Hensgen et a1. 83/64 Inventors: Alfred Comstock, Frontenac, 3,142,905 8/1964 Strasbaugh 83/620 Mlnn.; Burdsal Wilcox, Oakland, 3,158,074 11/1964 Brigham 83/72 X Calif. 3,217,768 11/1965 Lamb 83/4042 [73] Assignee: Safeway Stores, Incorporated,

Oakland Calif Przmary Exammer-Wflhe G. Abercromble Attorney, Agent, or Firm Flehr, Hohbach, Test, [22] Filed: June 26, 1970 Albmton & Herbert [21] Appl. No.: 56,072

Related us. Application Data [57] ABSTRACT [60] Continuation of Ser. No. 780,009, Nov. 29, 1968, Method for cutting articles by measuring one dimenwhich is a division of Ser. No. 402,746, Oct. 9, 1964, sion of the article and cutting the article into a plural- 3,433,278- ity of separate parts, each of which has a dimension [52] U S Cl 83/27 83/ which is proportional to the dimension measured. 34 I [51] Int. CLW B26! 7/063; 826d 3/24; 326d 7/18 Apparatus for cuttlng and handl ng articles having a platform with means for advancmg the articles onto [58] Field of Search 83/34, 39, 44, 47, 404.1,

the platform. Dies engage the article on the platform 83/404, 408, 425.1, 425.2, 425.3, 425.4,

368 356/156 to cut parts of predetermined shapes from the article. Means is provided for ejecting the articles from the dies and then for rotating the articles for cutting [56] References Clted additional parts from the article.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,630,043 3/1953 KOliSCll 356/156 10 Clam, 48 Drawmg NTk H -E US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975. Sheet2of30 3,916,741

US. atent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 3 of 30 3,916,741

US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet4 of 30 3,916,741

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U.S. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet60f30 3,916,741

U.Sn atent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet70f30 3,916,741

US. Patent Nov.4,19 75 sheetsof o 3,916,741

US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 10 of 30 3,916,741

Fig.

US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet11of30 3,916,741

U.S. Patent N0v;4, 1975 Sheet 12 of 30 3,916,741

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US. Patent NOV.4, 1975 Sheet 14 of 30 3,916,741

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I46 5 3 i f 4 U.S. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 18 of30 3,916,741

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UQS. atent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 19 0f 30 3,916,741 

1. In a method for cutting a succession of separate articles of random sizes with a plurality of cutting elements, each article having at least one exterior dimension which varies from article to article, the steps of: measuring said one exterior dimension of each article in succession, adjusting the spacing between the plurality of cutting elements into spaced-apart relationships while simultaneously measuring said dimension so that the spacing between the cutting elements is proportioned to said dimension; and, causing relative movement between the article and cutting elements to cut the article into separate slices each having a dimension proportional to said exterior dimension.
 2. In a method for cutting a succession of separate articles of random sizes with a plurality of cutting elements, each article having at least one exterior dimension which varies from article to article, the steps of: displacing sensing means in measuring relationship with said dimension; moving the cutting elements into parallel planes normal to the dimension and spaced apart proportional to displacement of the sensing means simultaneous with said displacement; terminating movement of the cutting elements responsive to said sensing means measuring said dimension; and, causing relative movement between the article and cutting elements to cut the article into separate slices each having a dimension proportional to said dimension.
 3. A method as in claim 2 together with the step of cutting parts having predetermined configurations from each of the slices.
 4. A method as in claim 3 together with the step of centering the slice before it is cut into separate parts.
 5. A method as in claim 2 in which the article has at least an additional exterior dimension which varies from article to article and with a plurality of additional cutting elements; together with the steps of: displacing additional sensing means in measuring relationship with said additional dimension; moving the additional cutting elements into parallel planes normal to the additional dimension and spaced-apart proportional to displacement of the additional sensing means simultaneous with said displacement; terminating movement of the additional cutting elements responsive to said additional sensing means measuring said additional dimension; and, causing relative movement between the slices and additional cutting elements to cut the slices into separate parts each having a dimension proportional to said additional dimension.
 6. A method as in claim 5 together with the step of cutting the parts into still smaller parts.
 7. In a method for cutting and handling block-like articles, the steps of cutting each article into a plurality of spaced parallel superposed slices, progressively shifting the position of the article which has been cut into slices, removing the slices one by one to separate the slices as the article is progressively shifted, advancing the removed slices in a common plane, cutting the advanced slices into a plurality of separate parts, and advancing the separated parts in a common plane.
 8. A method as in claim 7 together with the step of cutting each of the separate parts into still smaller parts and advancing the smaller parts on a common plane.
 9. In a method for cutting and handling blocklike articles, the steps of cutting each of the block-like articles into a plurality of Juxtaposed slices, removing the slices one by one from each of the block-like articles and advancing them in a common plane while causing progressive movement of the block-like article, cutting each of the slices into a plurality of parts having pre-determined shapes, and thereafter advancing the parts having pre-determined shapes in a common plane.
 10. A method as in claim 9 together with the step of stripping any trim which remains after the parts having predetermined shapes have been formed. 